CAAP to increase terminal fee in E. Visayas airports

By Melanie L. Bingco, ABS-CBN Tacloban

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is now pushing for an increase in terminal fees in various airports in the country including commercial airports in Eastern Visayas.

Engineer Sergio Sumergido, area manager for CAAP in Eastern Visayas, said the fee would be increased from P50 to P200 in Tacloban DZR airport which is classified as a principal class 1 airport.

Airports classified as principal class 2 like the Ormoc, Catarman and Calbayog Airports will increase terminal fee from P30 to P150. “This is the same with other airports (in the country) with the same classification,” he said.

Sumergido said the increase is necessary so that they could manage airport operations more efficiently.

“We are now dependent on our income to manage airport operations. That is why the increase is deemed necessary. Besides, the current fee has been set more than ten years ago,” he said.

But to get the people’s opinion on this plan, CAAP is set to conduct a public hearing within the month.

“I hope a lot of people will come so they could tell us what they think about this proposal,” he said.